A JOURNAL BY SHINOLA DEDICATED TO JOY OF CRAFT

10 Minutes with Tanlines

BY Taylor Rebhan

The soundtrack to your happiest, most carefree moments would likely include Tanlines’ music. The synth-pop duo’s newest album Highlights is perfect for any roadtrip playlist with it’s light-hearted, easy-going vibe. Read our interview with Jesse Cohen, the band’s percussionist, to hear what inspires them most.

Join us for a live performance by Tanlines on Saturday, Aug. 6 from 5-7 p.m. at The Grove in Los Angeles for a performance in The Park and an opening DJ set by KCRW’s own Travis Holcombe

It’s been eight years since Jesse Cohen and Eric Emm, guitarist and vocalist, teamed up to form Tanlines. After spending years pursuing their own musical careers in other bands, this Brooklyn-based pair met while producing a song together for Cohen’s former band, Professor Murder.

These guys are known for not only their music, but sense of humor as well. Their second (and newest) 10-song album Highlights, was launched last year with a website that looks just like Netflix’s website — because having a band website in this day and age seems pointless, Cohen has said.

The story of Highlights wouldn’t be complete without sharing where the duo recorded it — they began recording in a basement in Pittsburgh and completed it in a church in Greenpoint, Brooklyn with the help of Los Angeles producer Patrick Ford and Grizzly Bear’s Chris Taylor

Where do you feel most inspired to create new music?

I’d love to say, “when I’m in the studio,” but the truth is that a lot of ideas come randomly and just pop into my head when I least expect it. As long as I am not in the shower, I will get down a sketch of the idea on my voice recorder on the phone. 

Who are you currently listening to?

I’ve been listening to “Knockin’ Boots” by Julio Bashmore a lot. And tons of classic reggae like John Holt, Phyllis Dillon, and Alton Ellis.

What’s the one song you want people to hear first, who’ve never listened to your music before, and why?

“Brothers.” It’s the first song on our first album, so we obviously thought it was a great starting point. Also, I think it happens to be a really good example of what we do musically. It’s a mixture of live and electronic sounds. Trance synths and guitars. A 4/4 kick drum and a melancholic, but uplifting vocal.

Listen to the song “Brothers”, above.

Any future plans for upcoming albums or performances we should know about?

We had an album in 2015 and did a bunch of touring for that, and right now we are writing music and focusing on life stuff. I have a podcast called “No Effects” where I talk to musicians and I release new episodes every week or two.

Your website looks like the Netflix site and you’ve gained reputation for having other interesting marketing efforts like this. What’s the intention behind this? 

I have always tried to funnel as many creative ideas as possible through the band. Music videos, website, merch designs, jokes on twitter, and my podcast are all opportunities to be creative and also ways to let your fans into how you think and where the music is coming from.

Get directions to The Grove, here

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